Stay on Track

How to Manage Your Time for Success

Attending college is like having a job. If you are a full-time student, it is similar to being employed full time. If you are a part-time student, it is similar to being employed part time. Just like a job, you are expected to participate, engage, complete tasks, and learn new things.

In addition to being a student, you may also have other time commitments, such as a job, family, a relationship, pets, or volunteer work.

Juggling all of these responsibilities can get tricky, which is why time management is a key element in your college career.

There is no such thing as being too organized in college. Manage your time wisely, and you will be successful in your classes, and more in control of your life.

The easiest way to manage your time is to make a schedule, and use a planner.

By creating a schedule, you can block out time for class, studying and homework, when to eat and sleep, and all the other things that you need to do in a given week - such as hang out with friends, walk the dog, go to the gym, work hours, clean house, etc.

By using a planner, you can map out your assignments for each of your classes for the semester. This will allow you to see what chapters you need to read, which homework assignments are due, and if you need to study for an exam in any given week.

There is no such thing as being too organized in college. Manage your time wisely, and not only will you be successful in your classes, but you will be more in control of your life.

Read and Remember

Scan the material: read the headings, definitions and read the chapter summary before you start reading the chapter.

Read section by section: at the end of each section, reflect on what you read. What was the most important part?

Write it down: use your own words to record the main points.

Review the main ideas before class or starting homework.

Listen Actively

Be a critical thinker: Does it make sense, is it fact or opinion, how could it be proved or disproved?

Make connections: How does what you are hearing fit with what you already know?

Take Notes

Summarize the chapter intro and conclusion to capture the main topic when reading.

Keep the main topic in mind and then listen or watch for key points and give each one a new section in your notes.

Leave space on the margins to use later when reviewing your notes to give quick summaries, definitions, key words, examples or mnemonic devices.

Studying for an Exam

Ask the professor if the exam will be an essay, multiple choice, demonstration, or a combination.

Ask how much of your grade is it worth and what the exam will cover.

Study regularly throughout the semester - review information the same day you learn it and make sure you understand the new concept, then regularly review the information to store in your long-term memory.

Set up a study schedule and review all materials well before the exam.

Answer the questions at the end of the chapter(s). Make sure you really understand the material.

Form a study group, discuss views and quiz each other. Use your notes, think of examples, pictures, metaphors or mnemonics to make the information more memorable.

Give yourself time and don't cram, get enough rest the night before the exam.

Want to see how close you are to graduating? Or what classes you still need to take? Or maybe you want to change your major and wonder which of your credits you can use?

Then DegreeWorks is the perfect program for you! DegreeWorks allows you to see the courses you have taken or have transferred in, and where they fit into your degree program. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to go over their degree audit. Academic advisors can approve some course substitutions and can help answer any questions you may have about your degree requirements.